Archways to Opportunity Provides Eligible Part-Time and Full-Time Employees Flexible Education Programs
Verleana Hodges
MILWAUKEE – McDonald’s celebrates Verleana Hodges and the more than 5,000 restaurant employees enrolled in Archways to Opportunity in the United States.
Archways to Opportunity is a set of programs developed to support restaurant employees across the country in pursuing their educational goals, whether it’s earning their high school diploma, pursuing a college degree or learning English through the “English Under the Arches” program.
McDonald’s is committed to leading the industry in promoting comprehensive workforce education in a way that helps employees succeed no matter where they might be on their educational journey.
The company aims to use its scale to be part of the solution to close the education gap in this country and they are listening to employee feedback to make developmental programs successful.
Since April 2015, McDonald’s has provided more than $4.75M in tuition assistance for eligible employees to achieve their high school and college degrees. In addition, the company has seen the following participation:
• 812 have been awarded tuition assistance for High School
• 3,346 awarded tuition assistance for College
• 872 graduated from English Under the Arches
• 308 completed advising sessions
Keep it Up Verleana! Now an assistant manager at the Cedarburg McDonald’s, Hodges started as a crew person in 2009, but soon realized the benefits and opportunities could lead to a more long-term commitment. During her seven years with McDonald’s, she has been promoted twice and is currently preparing to go to McDonalds Business Leadership Class at Hamburger University.
“We understand that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to success when it comes to workforce education.
Each of our employees has his or her own path to walk and is moving at his or her own pace,” said Steve Kilian Jr., owner/ operator of the Cedarburg McDonald’s. “Whether that means helping them finish high school, earn an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree or even learn English our approach is to provide programs that meet them where they are.”
Hodges, a graduate of Riverside High school in Milwaukee, has utilized the tuition assistance program and will graduate from Argosy University with a degree in public relations in November 2016.
“My mother has always been the driving force for me to get my college degree,” said Hodges. “With my education and all that I have learned about business at McDonald’s, I feel like there’s no limit to what I can achieve.”
About Archways to Opportunity
Archways to Opportunity provides a range of opportunities with programs all designed to meet employees at their point of need.
All of the following programs are available to both company employees and the men and women employed by independent Owner/Operators.
• High School Completion – A nationally accredited Career Online High School program that is offered to all eligible restaurant managers and crew to obtain a high school diploma at no cost.
• College Access & Completion
o Tuition Assistance – Provides upfront tuition assistance for all college courses at higher education institutions accredited by the U.S. Department of Education.
o ACE – McDonald’s employee management training curriculum carries American Council on Education (ACE) college credit recommendations that can be transferred to many two- and four-year colleges.
o College Credit Connection Program – McDonald’s has partnered with 6 colleges that work with employees to map out credit recommendations into specific courses and offer discounted tuition.
o Scholarships – McDonald’s annually offers 50 awards of $2,500/each (one per state) and 3 awards of $7,500/each.
• English Under the Arches – Teaches managers and crew the English they need to communicate effectively with colleagues, customers, and in the employee’s daily life
• Advising Services – Advising programs with experts to help employees identify the best educational and career route to achieve their goals. The “Virtual Advisor” app helps calculates American Council on Education (ACE) college credit recommendations and offers college placement advice. For more information about McDonald’s Archways to Opportunity program please visit http://www. archwaystoopportunity. com/.
About McDonald’s
McDonald’s USA, LLC, serves a variety of menu options made with quality ingredients to approximately 25 million customers every day. Nearly 90 percent of Mc- Donald’s 14,000 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by businessmen and women. Customers can now log online for free at approximately 11,500 participating Wi-Fi enabled McDonald’s U.S. restaurants.
For more information, visit www.mcdonalds.com, or follow us on Twitter and Facebook.